Saturday, April 30, 2016

True Born by L.E. Sterling


Welcome to Dominion City.

After the great Plague descended, the world population was decimated...and their genetics damaged beyond repair.

The Lasters wait hopelessly for their genes to self-destruct. The Splicers pay for expensive treatments that might prolong their life. The plague-resistant True Borns are as mysterious as they are feared…

And then there's Lucy Fox and her identical twin sister, Margot. After endless tests, no one wants to reveal what they are.

When Margot disappears, a desperate Lucy has no choice but to put her faith in the True Borns, led by the charismatic Nolan Storm and the beautiful but deadly Jared Price. As Lucy and the True Borns set out to rescue her sister, they stumble upon a vast conspiracy stretching from Dominion’s street preachers to shady Russian tycoons. But why target the Fox sisters?

As they say in Dominion, it’s in the blood.

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Book 1
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Entangled Publishing



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica☆☆☆☆☆
5 page-turning stars.

I'm not going to give a play-by-play of the story, ruining it with spoilers. So below is basically an overview of the beginning setup and my overall enjoyment.

True Born – a pair of twins born conjoined in the upper most society of an apocalyptic world ravaged by plague. Lucy and Margot, with Lucy as the narrator of the tale, are the only children of one of the most influential political members of Dominion society. As such, they have rules in which they must abide to keep up appearance.

At the age of 18, you learn your fate. Lasters (those destined to be inflicted by the plague), Splicers (those who can afford to go to the clinic to stave off the illness), and True Born (genetically evolved, incapable of being inflicted by the plague).

True Born begins just prior to the twins' 18th birthday, as they are tested and await their fates. An uprising begins, in an effort to overthrow those in higher government by the destined to die. Lucy's father employs the True Born to take care of his daughters while he's away...and the story takes off from there.

The writing style is fluid, flowing quickly with an adventurous, addictive fantasy storyline. Lucy is a stable heroine, never a damsel in distress, who is a good role model. Strong and fierce, with a deep protective instinct, Lucy's drive to protect her sister is admirable. While Margot displays more teenage girl tendencies, she does have a backbone of steel. I truly appreciated how the twins were written, opposites but both with their faults.

The True Born were intriguing, well-developed, and added a suspenseful thread to the story. The world-building is vast, yet it leaves things left unexplained to keep you hooked for the next book in the series.

There is an underlying romantic thread – it lies quietly beneath the surface, not overpowering the main storyline but adding depth and the need to keep turning the pages.

True Born gave me the feels, and I devoured the book in a few short hours. When I was finished, realizing I would have to wait for the next installment, I wished I had slowed down and savored it. But, with its pacing, I doubt I could have stopped myself, even if I had tried.

Recommended for fans of Young Adult Dystopian Fiction/Urban Fantasy/Fantasy/Science Fiction.

Young Adult age-range: 14+ due to violent content.


Veronica☆☆☆☆
I took a chance on True Born. I love reading young adult novels, but I usually stick to contemporary books. True Born is fantasy/sci-fi, but the synopsis was interesting enough that I thought I'd give it a go. It took me a few chapters to get my head around the whole true born, splicer, and lasters thing and the dynamic of the world in which Lucy lives but once I did I was drawn right in.

When the children of Dominion turn 18 a reveal party is held where it is announced whether the child is true born, a splicer or a laster. As the day of Lucy's reveal approaches, Lucy starts to realise something is different about her and her twin sister, Margot, and the story launches from there. We get action and mystery and spots of graphic violence. True Born may not be suitable for sensitive younger teens because of the violence, but I'm sure my 13-year-old would love it.

The romance comes when Lucy's father hires a group of true born to protect her and her sister. Lucy is drawn to Jared, and I loved the hot and cold dynamic between them. It shows that you can have sizzling chemistry without the need for sex.

True Born is a great read which showed me that choosing to read a book outside of my usual genre can be well worth it. I can't wait for the next instalment.



L.E. Sterling had an early obsession with sci-fi, fantasy and romance to which she remained faithful even through an M.A. in Creative Writing and a PhD in English Literature – where she completed a thesis on magical representation. She is the author of two previous novels, the cult hit Y/A novel The Originals (under pen name L.E. Vollick), dubbed “the Catcher in the Rye of a new generation” by one reviewer, and the urban fantasy Pluto’s Gate. Originally hailing from Parry Sound, Ontario, L.E. spent most of her summers roaming across Canada in a van with her father, a hippie musician, her brothers and an occasional stray mutt – inspiring her writing career. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Connect with L.E.

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http://www.entangledpublishing.com/


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of True Born (True Born Trilogy #1) by L.E. Sterling to read and review.

Strip Search by Morticia Knight


A sexy stripper attempts to escape his dangerously obsessed boss while searching for his missing younger brother.

Stripping used to be fun, lucrative and a place for Dakota to practice for his professional dancing career. But the owner of Glitter Boys wants Dakota for himself and will stop at nothing to possess him. When his thirteen-year-old brother runs away from home to escape their abusive father, Dakota is determined to find him before something awful happens to him on the streets.

Patrol officer Reed hasn’t been attracted to a man in a very long time, but when he’s called to an assault in progress at the LGBTQ teen shelter, a young man approaches him, begging for help in finding his missing brother. An instant spark occurs, but he pushes it away. When the same man is attacked outside a strip club later that night, he discovers the desire is mutual.

As the two men learn more about each other and become closer, the specter of his obsessed ex-boss remains. In addition to that, Dakota has to fight the system to gain guardianship of his brother and keep him out of foster care. Dakota doesn’t know if the hunky cop he’s fallen so hard for can handle a relationship with an ex-stripper struggling to raise a teenager. But, will Reed be able to give up dating women for good and dedicate himself to their new family?

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of sexual intimidation, scenes of mild physical assault and threats of sexual violence.

Publisher's Note: This book can be read as part of a series or as a standalone novel.


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Book 7
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Pride  Publishing



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie☆☆☆
I am all for insta-love, but this one wasn’t hitting all my buttons, so it was just okay for me. There was so much angst with Dakota’s ex-boss that I think that seemed to be the focus when I wanted more Reed and Dakota. I liked how Dakota knew what he wanted with Reed and went after it. I also wanted more about Dakota and his brother, we got some of that in the epilogue but I wanted more in the book, and I wanted to see Dakota and Reed’s daughter interact, which we don’t see until the epilogue either. It was an okay book and if you have read the entire series, I am sure you will want to read it, it just wasn’t one of the better ones in the series in my opinion.

Characters: Well written and easy to relate to
Sex: Yes
Religious: No
Would I recommend to others: Yes
More than one book in the series: Yes
Genre: M/M/Romance
Would I read more by this author: Yes



Ruthie☆☆☆☆
I am loving this series – and this one is another winner. As the net widens in Ms. Knight's series, we get glimpses of previous couples as their lives intersect with the new leads.

Here another police officer, Reed, who was married for many years and has a teenage daughter, finds a man that pushes all his buttons. Embarking on this new relationship, in spite of many issues is a journey of faith, but plays out beautifully for them both. There are inequalities in the relationship, yet Ms. Knight has balanced them very carefully, and gives us a story which is moving, touching, and incredibly hot. As I have read the rest of the series, I did trust that I knew the people would come to help, that it had to play out right, and that I would get my desired ending. I was not disappointed.

If you have not read this series yet, then why not? I do recommend that you start at book one – but if this appeals to you, then read it first and go back and find out about the other characters who pop up here too.


Also Available in the Sin City Uniforms Series

Book 1
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Pride  Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our All Fired Up post.


Book 2
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Pride  Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Copping an Attitude post.


Book 3
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Pride  Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Justice Prevails post.


Book 4
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Pride  Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Held Hostage post.


Book 5
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Pride Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Negotiating Love post.


Book 6
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Pride  Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Searching for Shelter post.



Morticia Knight spends most of her nights writing about men loving men forever after.

If there happens to be some friendly bondage or floggings involved, she doesn’t begrudge her characters whatever their filthy little heart’s desire. Even though she’s been crafting her naughty tales for more years than she’d like to share – her adventures as a published author began in 2011.

Once upon a time she was the lead singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She currently resides on the northern Oregon coast and when she’s not fantasizing about hot men she takes walks along the ocean and annoys the local Karaoke bar patrons.

Connect with Morticia

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https://www.pride-publishing.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Strip Search (Sin City Uniforms #7) by Morticia Knight to read and review.

Parker by David Michael


My name is Parker Hale and I single handedly brought down a Dynasty.

For me, life has been a study in bad decisions and worse results.

My party boy days landed me with one foot in the grave, but Rebecca Sloan pulled me back from that ledge.

She’s here for me when I need her most and all I do is disappoint.

I’m scared to lose what we have.

I need to fix this mess before it’s too late.

There are fates worse than death.

I’m gonna prove it.


Warning: This title is intended for adult audiences and contains content not appropriate for people under the age of 18 or those who are offended by strong language. There are topics briefly addressed in this novel that may be triggers for some people including assault, drug use, and stillbirth.

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Book 2
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Shannan☆☆☆☆☆
Parker is the middle brother in the Hale family. He has it all. He is a popular porn star, he's a huge player, and he has a drug problem. When one night of fun lands him in rehab, he doesn't know if he's ready to be sober. He knows his family is at the end of their ropes with him. When his brother's girlfriend, Holly, can't be there to pick him up from rehab, she sends her best friend, Rebecca.

Rebecca has a huge dislike for drug addicts and makes no mistake in letting Parker know. The last thing she expects is seeing the good in him. Can two people with past issues make it work, or will they crash and burn before they even begin?

I am loving the Dick Dynasty Trilogy. It has everything that brings the feels. I laughed, I cried. Mitch is hilarious. I can't wait to see what happens between Preston and Mitch.


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
I was delighted to get to review this book, as I had so loved Porter (book 1). This is quite a different story – there is still some great humour, but actually it is a really poignant story. Holly's best friend, Rebecca, finds herself drawn to Parker, Porter's dissolute younger brother. Neither of them are into relationships, but somehow the attraction is more powerful than they seem willing to control. The music sessions that bring them together as close friends are beautifully written. I also loved the set up at the end...something I did see coming, and will enjoy very much reading as soon as it is available.

Thanks for another good story, Mr. Michael.




Also Available in the Dick Dynasty Trilogy

Book 1
Buy Links

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For reviews & more info, check out our Porter post.




David Michael is the author of The United Series – a five-book paranormal romance series - and the Dick Dynasty Trilogy.

His passion for writing was born of his passion for reading. He spent his childhood escaping into the worlds created for him by authors and has always aspired to join their ranks. After the publication of his first novel, he couldn't be stopped.

David lives in Salt Lake City, hates the snow, loves his pets (two cats and a dog), and more often than not can be found sitting in front of his laptop in his underwear hammering away at the keyboard (usually chatting on Facebook). He's a firm believer that what you put out into the universe comes right back to you and always looks for the silver lining around the rain clouds in life.

Connect with David

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Parker (Dick Dynasty Trilogy #2) by David Michael to read and review.

Guide Me by Chelsea Brighton


Joseph Slade’s erotic toy business needs an injection of funds--fast. He finds a muse, instead, at an exclusive art gallery in Manhattan. All buttoned up and sexy as hell, Annie Cavanaugh is an unexpected delight. She’s also the widow of the multi-millionaire who promised to invest in his company. When he discovers his prim and proper tour guide has one of his handcrafted toys--and no idea how to use it--he can’t believe his luck. She already melts at a look or a touch. He takes her to a gentlemen’s club, where the thrill of being watched makes her burn; adding a blindfold and restraints sets her on fire.

Although he’s pushing her a little farther each time they scene, her innocent curiosity shows no sign of abating. She seems fascinated by his diverse range of sex aids and the fetish furniture in his artist’s studio. With the right incentive, he’s certain she’ll bankroll his new range of erotic jewelry. If she acts as the company’s spokesperson, they’ll take the world by storm. If she steals his designs, he’ll lose his heart as well as his livelihood.

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Loose  Id



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is a good read – it has an original plot, an interesting pair as leads, and a chemistry which is fascinating. The layers are carefully unpeeled and the true nature of them both is revealed.

Joe's inner voice is very well written, with us being led by him as he gives us his insight into a woman who is confounding him with her behaviour. As things become clearer, he only becomes more desirable, as he shows himself to be a good man. Annie is a mystery to him, to such an extent that the reader is drawn to believe that he has it right – but Annie proves herself. The way that Joe's devices are described and their use demonstrated, is hot, hot, hot – in fact, the writing does justice to the acts and emotions of these two people as they explore each other.

In need of a good story with some very heated scenes? Then definitely give this a try.



Chelsea Brighton writes sultry romance with heart, and creates exquisite botanicals for the bathroom. She lives in the Australian countryside with a yard full of rosellas and a pet unicorn named Rainie.

Connect with Chelsea

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http://www.loose-id.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Guide Me by Chelsea Brighton to read and review.

Friday, April 29, 2016

One Dangerous Desire by Christy Carlyle Blog Tour


In a bet between two old flames...

Rex Leighton dominates the boardroom by day and prowls the ballroom at night. Searching for the perfect bride to usher him into the aristocracy, he abandoned the idea of love the last time he saw the delicious May Sedgwick. But when he’s roped into a bet, where the prize is the means to fund his greatest ambition and the stakes are a marriage he’s already planning for, Rex is willing to go all in. There’s just one problem—he’s competing against the only woman he’s ever loved.

Only love can take it all

May Sedgwick could be the belle of the season...if she cared. She is more interested in the art studio than the marriage market and her craving to pursue her passion far outweighs her wish for a titled husband. Winning this bet will finally allow May to follow her true artistic desires. Rex losing is just a side benefit, as are his breathtaking kisses that she just can’t resist.

When May is forced to choose between the dream she never knew she wanted and the man she’s never been able to forget, Rex must convince her desire is worth a bit of danger.

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Book 3
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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo



She gasped. Not a sound of shock but a frisson of awareness. He lifted his head to look into her eyes. Smoky blue sapphire glinted back at him in the moonlight.

One taste. One kiss, and he’d walk away and let her have the life she deserved.



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica☆☆☆☆
4 banterific stars.

Rex is an American who came to his mother's homeland six years ago to start a different life for himself. After struggling to survive in an orphanage and on the streets of NYC, Rex is a self-made man. Changing his name, leaving everything behind, he amasses great wealth, but now he needs to marry a titled woman who could gain him access to investors.

May is her father's daughter, determined and fiscally minded. She moved to London from NYC a year ago to make a titled match after being left behind six years ago by her one true love. With it just May and her father, both wish to uphold her mother's dream for her daughter to be titled, even if the daughter would rather be a businesswoman instead.

One Dangerous Desire is how May and Rex both need something the other can't provide, but can't seem to pull themselves away from the other.

Christy Carlyle is a new-to-me author, and I found her pacing swift, the flow of her words fluid, and the story enjoyable. May and Rex played off each other well, push-pull romance filled with banter and longing. The author plucked the heartstrings a few times, had me smiling with the warm and fuzzy, blushing with the steamy scenes, and laughing unexpectedly.

While the scenes moved rather quickly to the next, there was some redundancy as it felt drawn out (the initial plot) to the point the reader knew the conclusion but the hero and heroine weren't getting there fast enough. The plot couldn't support the page-length. But near the last quarter, new elements of conflict were introduced to add an exciting level of angst, and I breezed right straight through to the end and enjoyed every moment of it.

Recommended for fans of the modern writing style of historical romance.

Will I read more by this author, or continue with this series? Yes, absolutely. I'm interested in what comes next. As this was my first read by the author, and it was the third in the series, I plan to backtrack and read books one & two in my downtime.




Fueled by Pacific Northwest coffee and inspired by multiple viewings of every British costume drama she can get her hands on, Christy Carlyle writes sensual historical romance set in the Victorian era. She loves heroes who struggle against all odds and heroines who are ahead of their time. A former teacher with a degree in history, she finds there’s nothing better than being able to combine her love of the past with a die-hard belief in happy endings.

Connect with Christy

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads



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Follow the One Dangerous Desire Blog Tour HERE.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of One Dangerous Desire (Accidental Heirs #3) by Christy Carlyle to read and review for this tour.

Three of a Kind by Sean Michael


What’s better than a pair? Three of a Kind of course!

Zane is about to give up by the time his truck breaks down in Arizona. All he has in the world is the truck, less than fifty bucks and more bruises than any one young man should have to bear. That’s when he meets buff giant Butch who takes Zane in, helping him get his life back together.

Problem is, Butch already has a lover, an artist named Randy. Or at least Zane thinks it’s a problem. Turns out, it’s not the kind of trouble Zane thinks it is when Butch and Randy both take a romantic interest in him.

Can Zane let go of his troubled past and let Butch and Randy teach him that love doesn’t have to hurt?

Reader Advisory: This book contains references to past physical abuse.

Publisher's Note: This book has been released elsewhere. It has been revised and re-edited for re-release with Pride Publishing.


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Pride  Publishing



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie☆☆☆☆
Short and sweet, this was a book about Zane, who went through hell with his ex and was found on the side of the road by Butch. Butch is such a good soul, he would give his shirt off his back to anyone. Randy, oh man, he was so flighty, not so bright, but so loveable. Zane was scared and couldn’t believe there was any good left in the world. When these three are together it is wonderful, it feels like family, and when things get heated in the bedroom, it is even better.

Characters: Well written and easy to relate to
Sex: Yes
Religious: No
Would I recommend to others: Yes
More than one book in the series: Not sure
Genre: M/M/Romance
Would I read more by this author: Yes


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is a moving, sweet, and lovingly hot story. It is a quick read, but gives us a good amount of detail about Zane, and how much he needs the support that he gains from Butch and Randy. We don't really get much of their backgrounds, but they do their best for this very hurt young man. It is a, unusual set up, with the men living in a warehouse which serves as Randy's studio too, and the relaxed vibe is just what Zane needs to heal.

Another very enjoyable read from Mr. Michael.



Often referred to as "Space Cowboy" and "Gangsta of Love" while still striving for the moniker of "Maurice," Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organising his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and pursuing the kama sutra by channelling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to "Chicago".

A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.

Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.

Connect with Sean

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https://www.pride-publishing.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Three of a Kind by Sean Michael to read and review.

Remembering You by Audra North


He’s in hot pursuit…and she’s determined not to become a casualty of love.

SWAT officer Ben Crewes has never forgotten the mystery woman whose voice comforted him in the night after he was shot in the line of duty. A voice he never managed to connect with a face.

Years later, a chance encounter with reporter Nina Lang feels strangely familiar, and although he regards bloodsucking newshounds with the same contempt as perps, he feels something he hasn’t felt since that sexy voice soothed him in the darkness.

Long ago, Nina learned the risks involved with men in dangerous professions. But by the time she realizes he belongs to the voice from that long-ago night, the connection sizzling between them is too hot to stamp out without leaving a mark on her soul.

The smart move would be to walk away. Before she gives in to the kind of heat that forges futures—the kind that could simply end in another painful memory.


Warning: An officer who’s cool under pressure, a woman who blows that cool all to hell, and a fender bender that leads to an exchange of more than just insurance cards.

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Book 0.5
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Samhain  Publishing



Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie☆☆☆
This is a book based on an interesting starting point, and develops well as they meet again. Ben's friends were good foils, and in the end, Nina's father was the one who made all the difference, in spite of all the negativity that had been suggested before. I think that the fact that they both had dangerous jobs, and were strongly independent worked well, and of course, knew more than most about each other. For some reason I felt it could have drawn me in further, as their lives weren't painted in quite as much detail as I like in places. Maybe if we had had some of that original conversation that would have filled in my gaps – and, in fact, is possibly why it wasn't mentioned very much later.

Overall a good way to spend an evening, enjoying someone else's romantic story.


Also Available in the Pushing the Boundaries Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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Samhain  Publishing

For reviews & more info, check out our Giving It Up post.



Audra North fell in love with romance at age thirteen and spent the next twenty years reading as many romance novels as she could. Even now, after having read over one thousand of them, Audra still can't resist the lure of a happily ever after, and her collection continues to grow. She lives near Boston with her husband, three young children, and a lot of books.

Connect with Audra

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https://www.netgalley.com


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Remembering You (Pushing the Boundaries #0.5) by Audra North to read and review.